One of the two main showpieces of Investec’s corporate social responsibility programme occupies a marble-trimmed former office block in downtown Johannesburg. CIDA City Campus recruits disadvantaged young South Africans, many from remote rural areas, and gives them basic training in English, maths and other pre-university skills before launching them into a three-year business degree programme.

Investec donated the building, its former headquarters, and continues to cover CIDA’s operating costs. Students, who pay nominal tuition fees, pitch in with cleaning and other maintenance duties. Accounting and other firms offer the students free lectures.